tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8695598.post113398321009546675..comments2023-12-17T19:35:07.459-08:00Comments on Bouphonia: The Old FrontierPhilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15849261651028725772noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8695598.post-1134156089969871642005-12-09T11:21:00.000-08:002005-12-09T11:21:00.000-08:00Tube type transport rely on lessing the air resist...Tube type transport rely on lessing the air resistance VS the transported object.<BR/><BR/>GM and Ford are planning on doing this for their hybred cars, thus beating Toyota.<BR/><BR/>By sucking so badly as companies these days, the reduced air friction will make thier hybreds work better.<BR/><BR/>(rimshot)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8695598.post-1134004851811140952005-12-07T17:20:00.001-08:002005-12-07T17:20:00.001-08:00Marc,It depends who you talk to. Most systems talk...Marc,<BR/><BR/>It depends who you talk to. Most systems talk about using suction and blowing fans, which I imagine could be run with solar power. Municipal waste is sometimes discussed as a possible energy source for systems operating within city limits.<BR/><BR/>Other ideas involve pressure differentials in a completely airtight system, and (to some extent) gravity...nice idea, but I'm skeptical. Again, though, I'd imagine solar-powered Stirling engines might be feasible here. But I'm no expert on pneumatic pipelines...not even close!<BR/><BR/>I really don't know how much energy is needed, either. According to <A HREF="http://www.new-technologies.org/ECT/Other/pcp.htm" REL="nofollow">this site</A>, a short <I>vertical</I> system currently in use in Japan can move 51 Mg of material an hour with approximately 200kW of power. No idea what implications that has for horizontal transport.Philahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15849261651028725772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8695598.post-1134001039660722122005-12-07T16:17:00.000-08:002005-12-07T16:17:00.000-08:00Where does the electricity for this type of plan c...Where does the electricity for this type of plan come from? Probably from more coal, gas, oil or nuclear generation. I believe the fossil fuel plants would have less stringent emission requirements than the trucks so this may in fact lead to an increase in emissions. <BR/><BR/>The idea is cool though. Maybe if it were self powered with massive solar arrays every few kilometers...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com